The Best Writing Advice I Ever Heard

When I teach creative writing classes, one of my first handouts is "Writing Advice" to help inspire the students. Here are some of my favorites, that have inspired me over the years:

 There's nothing to writing. 
All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.
  ~ Walter Wellesley Smith

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. 
~Elmore Leonard

If there's a book you really want to read,
but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. 
~Toni Morrison

Writing became such a process of discovery
that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: 
I wanted to know what I was going to say. 
~Sharon O'Brien

The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion,
some place, in the air.  All I must do is find it, and copy it. 
~Jules Renard

I love being a writer. 
What I can't stand is the paperwork. 
~Peter De Vries

What no partner of a writer can ever understand is that
 a writer is working when she's staring out of the window. 
~Burton Rascoe

You can't wait for inspiration.
You have to go after it with a club.
~Jack London

Comments

[Susan C Shea]

Clever as always, Penny. I should copy these on sticky notes to frame my computer screen when I get lazy or discouraged! Thanks.

[Mysti Berry]

I think Jack London's is my fave! Thanks for inspiring me today!

[penny warner]

Thanks Susan and Mysti.
I can always use some inspiration myself.
-Penny

[Margaret Lucke]

Great quotes, Penny, and several are new to me. I collect writing quotes, and these are going straight into my file.

[rita lakin]

Right on as usual.
I still predict another profession to add on to what you do now. Stand up comic.

your fan,
rita